And the Miss America crown goes to... Miss Florida

Ericka Dunlap, a 21-year-old from Orlando, Florida, who championed cultural diversity as her pageant "platform," was crowned "Miss America 2004" late Saturday, beating out representatives of the other 49 states and the US capital.

The fifth child of a roofing contractor and a registered nurse won a $US50,000 ($75,221) scholarship and the 'Miss America' title for a year during which she will travel approximately 32,180 kilometres a month to advocate an issue of her choice.

During the portion of the pageant when contestants are asked about their 'platform', Miss Florida said she would use the crown "as a symbolic propeller to take cultural diversity issues to new heights".

"Diversity is a part of each and every one of us and the only way that we can overcome that type of challenge is through allowing our children first of all to see the beauty of celebrating and embracing other cultures," she said.

Miss Florida and Miss Hawaii, the last two in the race at the end of the pageant, clung to each other as they awaited the final result on a stage in the casino capital of the eastern United States, Atlantic City, Maryland.

When Miss Hawaii, Kanoelani Gibson, was named first runner-up, Miss Florida jumped up and down, screaming "Oh my God," as Miss America 2003 tried to pin a small silver crown on her head.

Dunlap won the talent competition for a vocal number and the evening wear competition, showing off an hour-glass figure in a floor length lemon-coloured gown.

Contestants are also judged in swimsuit and casual wear competitions, for their answer to a question about their pageant platform and for their performance on a quiz on US history.